F 

855 

.2. 


t  *  t    t 

rr/-v^    ,r^\  y/J 


torg  in 


CHILDREN, 


SAX    FRANCISCO: 

WINTERBURN  &  CO.,  PRINTERS  AND  ELECTROTYPE RS, 

417  Clay  Street,  below  San^ome. 

1874. 


'  I 


AFP 


FOB 

CHILDREN 

BY 


SAN   FRANCISCO: 

WINTEBBUBN   &  CO.,    PB1NTEKS  AND   ELECTBOTYPEBS, 
417  Clay  Street,  below  Sansome. 


55 

.  2- 


TO 


;;iiii!iel 


inmnan. 


£  y  HIS  FRIEND, 


98 
.roi'c  Library 


tairatiott  and  foalizaii 


Winter's  night,— 'twas  long  ago, 
The  ground  was  mantled  deep  with  snow, 
The  crackling  faggots  shed  a  glow 

Around  an  ancient  hall. 
Stout  crossbows,  spears  and  matchlocks,  too,  * 
Old  suits  of  mail;  as  bright  as  new. 
And  relics  of  the  chase  a  few, 

Adorned  each  oaken  wall. 


A  father  sat  in  antique  chair, 

His  beard  was  long,  and  gray  his  hair ; 

His  three  fair  boys  were  sitting  there 

Beside  the  cheerful  fire. 
"  Come,  boys,"  said  he,  "  I  pray  you  say, 
In  frank  and  open,  manly  way, 
Where,  each,  your  thoughts  and  wishes  lay —  ^ 

To  what  your  minds  aspire. 


Then  freely  tell  me,  eldest  son, 
In  what  directions  your  thoughts  run, 
And  name  the  way,  if  there  is  one, 

That  I  can  aid  your  aim. 
The  time  will  come  when  each  will  be 
Dependent  on  himself— not  me; 
The  road  is  open  wide  and  free, 

To  honor  and  to  shame. 

'  You'll  find  in  each  pursuit  you  choose 
A  way— if  you  will  rightly  use 
The  means  supplied,  and  naught  abuse, 

To  gather  wealth  and  fame. 
Whilst  all  around— you  everywhere— 
You'll  need  to  use  the  greatest  care 
To  'scape  the  many  schemes  to  snare 

And  drag  you  into  shame. 

"  Some  spend  their  lives  in  idle  dreams, 
Whilst  others  have  too  many  schemes  ; 
You'll  mostly  find  between  extremes 

The  path  of  safety  lies. 
Be  active,  useful,  prudent,  kind, 
And  keep  a  pure,  well-balanced  mind ; 
Both  good  and  evil  you  will  find, 

Each  thing  on  earth  supplies. 


"  Though  danger  larks  on  every  sidef 
Life's  labyrinths  are  open  wide, 
And  little  help  to  aid  or  guide 

The  path  that  should  be  trod  ; 
Still  with  His  mercy  all  may  dare 
Attempt  the  task,  and  even  share, 
Whose  thoughts  are  pure  and  worthy  there-)  \ 

Their  joys  who  dwell  with  God." 

The  eldest  boy  sat  by  his  side, 
His  form  erect  with  manly  pride- 
Responsive  to  his  sire,  replied  : 

"  Dear  father,  I  aspire 
To  be  a  soldier  of  great  fame, 
And  gain  a  high,  ennobled  name, 
And  savage  nations  rule  and  tame. 

And  conquests  fresh  acquire. 

"To  lead  a  host  of  daring  men, 
Have  every  one  opposed  by  ten, 
And  drive  the  lions  from  their  den, 

In  wild  and  fierce  despair  ; 
And  in  its  stead  a  fortress  raise, 
And  live  apart  from  vulgar  gaze, 
As  best  comports  with  soldier's  ways, 

On  rich  and  luscious  fare. 


Or  else,  in  still  more  regal  state, 
Surrounded  by  the  gay  and  great, 
Have  myriads  envious  of  my  fate, 

Yet  pay  my  tribute  dues; 
Whilst  crowds  of  mendicants  should  stand 
Around  my  gates  with  outstretched  hand, 
And  sound  my  praises  o'er  the  land: 
This  is  the  life  I'd  choose  !" 

"  Not  thus  do  I  desire  to  do/' 
The  second  cried— if  a  calmer  view 
I  take  of  life,  and  shall  pursue 

A  trade  that  better  pays; 
No  charms  in  soldiers  lives  I  see, 
Wild  tumult  would  not  answer  me: 
A  man  of  wealth  I  mean  to  be, 

And  spend  in  ease  my  days. 

"  A  merchant  I  would  rather  be, 
And  send  my  ships  o'er  every  sea, 
And  have  all  climes  return  to  me 

Their  treasures  rich  and  rare: 
I'd  have  large  mills  and  fact'ries,  too, 
From  which  great  profits  I  would  screw, 
And  live  as  princely  merchants  do, 

Who  nothing  need  or  care. 


I 


" /  don't  pretend  to  know  or  care 
How  uthert  feel  nur  how  they  fa  r 


?  "  I  don't  prebend  to  know  or  care 
How  others  feel,  nor  how  they  fare  ; 
Were  I  to  give  all  I  could  spare, 

'Twould  not  amount  to  much. 
In  fact  I  hate  the  very  thought. 
Which  now-a-days  is  often  taught, 
That  '  without  works  one's  faith's  worth 

'  Philanthropy,'  and  such  !"    [nought,9  [ 

The  youngest  cried;  "  When  I'm  a  man 
I  will  pursue  a  nobler  plan, 
And  strive  to  aid  all  whom  I  can 

With  all  my  might  and  power; 
I'll  raise  the  lowly  from  the  ground, 
And  seek  where  virtue  may  be  found; 
On  works  of  mercy  always  bound, 

Til  spend  my  every  hour. 

"  I'll  lead  a  pure  and  blameless  life, 
And  seek  a  prudent,  virtuous  wife, 
And  pass  my  days  devoid  of  strife, 

At  least  that  is  my  plan. 
With  gentle  arts  of  love  and  peace, 
I'll  strive  to  make  men's  joys  increase, 
And  Discord's  direful  reign  shall  cease, 

And  Peace  shall  dwell  with  man. 


In  courts  of  law  I  fain  would  plead 
For  innocence,  and  be,  indeed, 
To  all  oppressed,  a  friend  in  need, 

And  ever  strive  my  best 
To  gain  that  bliss  which  naught  on  earth 
Will  yield  to  man  of  equal  worth: 
He's  poor,  in  truth,  who  feels  a  dearth 

Of  peace  within  his  breast." 

In  finding  work  for  idle  hands, 

In  cultivating  untilled  lands, 

And  in  cementing  Friendship's  bands 

Betwixt  mi/  land  and  others. 
Had  I  my  way  I  would  be  bound 
To  find  a,  common  neutral  ground, 
Where  peace  should  be  forever,  found, 

And  all  men  should  be  brothers." 

,   "My  boys/'  the  father  cried,  'f  I  see 
You  neither  in  your  thoughts  agree, 
c  And  fear  you  all  are  doomed  to  be 

Debarred  your  hopes  to  gain  ; 
-  Still,  life's  before  you— take  the  way 
<   That  each  thinks  best ;   I  trust  you  may 
"  At  last  not  be  compelled  to  say : 

c  Pve  spent  my  life  in  vain/ 


"In  cmirtt  of  Imc  J  fain  irmiM  plead 

fVr  innocence,  and  If.  indrcii. 

To  a/I  apprc**td>  a  friend  in  nftd." 


7 

ff  The  soldier's  is  a  noble  art 
Where  patriot  zeal  inspires  the  heart ; 
W hose's  soul's  prepared  to  act  its  party 

And  ne'er  from  duty  shrink. 
But  he's  debased  whom  lucre  leads, 
Whose  soul  is  pleased  with  cruel  deeds  ; 
The  sword  is  cursed  that  often  bleeds, 

But  never  stops  to  think. 

"  In  every  age,  and  in  all  climes, 
And  even  in  the  best  of  times, 
The  sword  has  sired  many  crimes 

Most  barbarous  and  base. 
i  And  'twill  be  many  ages  yet 

Ere  mankind  so  refined  will  get 
'•   To  sheathe  its  gory  blade,  and  let 

Sweet  Peace  reign  in  its  place. 

"  While  commerce  much  that's  good  imparts. 
It  brings  from  distant  foreign  marts 
The  product  of  all  skill  and  arts 

That  else  were  lost  to  man- 
Yet  'tis  a  fact  I  grieve  to  tell— 
Some  merchants  who  'on  'change'  excel 
Will  traffic  with  the  fiends  of  Hell, 

And  scoff  at  Heaven's  ban. 


Self-interest  is  their  only  thought, 
Their  '  principles '  are  cheaply  bought, 
The  only  precept  they  e'er  taught, 

Is  this,  boys  :  '  Will  it  pay  ? ' 
More  greedy  far  than  hungry  hogs, 
With  hearts  more  hard  than  maple  logs, 
They  even  covet  blind  men's  dogs, 
To  barter  them  away. 

"  The  courts  of  law  afford  great  scope 
To  those  who  would  in  earnest  hope 
With  tyrant  Might  triumphant  cope, 

And  tardy  justice  wrench- 
But  those  who've  been  in  courts  declare 
An  honest  lawyer  *s  very  rare  ; 
In  some,  the  meanest  culprit  there 

Is  seen  upon  the  bench. 

"  Take  this  advice  from  one  who  knows 
How  prone  the  world  is  to  oppose 
The  progress  and  ascent  of  those 

Who  would  in  life  excel ; 
Contented  be  with,  moderate  gains, 
Your  passions  keep  in  bridled  reins, 
Shun  those  whom  no  restraint  restrains, 

"  They'll  drag  you  into  Hell. 


9 

''  I  find  of  all  whom  I  have  known, 
Whose  lives  have  greatest  splendor  shown, 
And  gained,  as  'twere,  a  moral  throne 

Of  everlasting  Hiss, 
They  carried  it  where'er  they  went, 
On  other's  hopes  and  aims  intent ; 
In  doing  good  their  lives  were  spent— 

An  envied  life  is  this. 

"Ah,  strange  as  it  may  seem  to  you, 
You'll  find  in  fact  'tis  just  as  true, 
They  come  out  best  who  nearest  do 

As  conscience  tells  them's  right  ; 
Who  carry  joy  where'er  they  go, 
Who  strive  to  share  another's  woe, 
Who  on  the  paths  they  tread  e'er  throw 

A  genial,  joyous  light. 

{  "  Though  selfish  men  may  seem  to  thrive, 

And  gain  the  ends  for  which  they  strive, 
c  They'd  gladly  yield  them  all  to  drive 
Away  the  fiend  they've  raised— 

-  That,  like  a  canker  in  the  breast, 

*  Corrodes  the  heart,  nor  gives  it  rest; 

e  They've  toiled  for  sleep/  some  have  confessed, 
?  Whose  thrift  was  highest  praised. 


10 

"Who'd  learn  a  science  or  an  art 

Best  learns  who'll  learn  and  then  impart; 

It  will  implant  it  in  the  heart. 

And  last  while  reason  holds. 
And  he'll  be  firmest-footed  found 
Who  helps  his  friends  to  firmest  ground; 
He's  greatest  who  can  most  surround 

Himself  with  grateful  souls. 

"Though  Virtue's  dumb  and  offers  naught, 

But  must  be  long  and  keenly  sought, 

They  are  best  learned  who're  by  her  taught, 

And  best  obey  her  rules. 
Whilst  Vice  runs  blatant  down  the  street, 
And  proffers  all  things,  she's  a  cheat: 
Destruction  they  will  surely  meet 

V/ho  are  her  dupes  or  tools. 

'  'And  lastly,  boys,  I  would  conjure, 

Whatever  you  may  do,  be  sure 

You  never  wrong  or  harm  the  poor : — 

For  they  are  in  God's  care; 
^  In  fact,  I  know  no  better  plan, 
Who'd  lead  a  life  of  honor,  than 
To  be  a  generous  gentleman ; 

To  be  such  is  my  prayer. 


*   t 
I 


11 

'  Whoever  earns  that  honored  name 
Stands  first  upon  my  scroll  of  fame. 
I  pray  you  make  that  your  chief  aim, 

And  pay  but  little  heed 
To  vulgar  greatness,  pomp,  or  show. 
Some  of  the  worlds  great  (?)  men,  I  know 
In  truth  are  petty,  mean  and  low— 

A  most  degraded  ^^^^ancrott  Libninr 

"  Oh  !  did  ye  know  how  some  men  climb — 
Thro'  mud  and  mire,  thro9  slush  and  slime, 
By  fawning,  cringing,  craft  — aye— crime, 

To  reach  their  high  estate, — 
Your  veneration  would  receive 
A  shock  so  great  you'd  scarce  believe, 
And  'stead  of  envying,  you  would  grieve 

For  some  the  world  calls  great. 

"  Seek  God  in  earnest  prayer  each  day 
To  lead  you  in  the  righteous  way, 
And  not  permit  your  feet  to  stray 

Where  wickedness  hath  trod, 
This  earth  for  Heaven  was  designed, 
And  will  be  yet  when  man's  inclined 
To  be  like  Him  in  form  and  mind, 

As  was  designed  by  God. 


I 
i 
i 
i 
i 
n 


12 

"  Remember  this  :— where'er  ye  be— 
Ye  can't  be  where  God's  eyes  can't  see ; 
Flee  where  ye  will  ye  cannot  flee 

Beyond  His  watchful  gaze. 
And  every  act  which  here  ye  do- 
Some  day  in  realms  of  space  ye' II  view, 
No  photograph  of  earth  so  true 

Produced  by  solar  rays. 

"  Be  generous,  but  first  be  just, 

In  God's  protection  place  your  trust  ; 

To  gain  His  love  and  aid  you  must 

In  works  of  love  excel. 
Sustain  a  brave  and  manly  heart, 
And  scorn  all  mean  deceit  or  art, 
And  in  life's  play  whate'er  your  part, 

Be  sure  you  act  it  well." 


Two  left  their  father's  tender  care 

And  rushed  abroad,  scarce  mindful  where, 

Life's  prizes  and  its  blanks  to  share— 

.A  helter-skelter  race. 
The  third  remained  behind  to  cheer 
His  -parents  whom  he  loved, so  dear, 
And  whom  he  would  be  ever  near- 
He  could  not  leave  the  place. 


And  he  who  lately  held  provtl  noay 
O'er  mighty  hottt  now  lonely  lay 
A  mat*  of  lifclett  human  clay, 

Unmourned  by  child  or  wife. 


13 

The  eldest  joined  a  warlike  band, 
And  spread  destruction  round  the  land- 
Both  far  and  wide  on  every  hand 

He  forced  the  foe  to  yield  : 
Until  at  length  a  mightier  host, 
With  greater  force  than  he  could  boast, 
By  stealth  surprised  and  stormed  his  post ; 

His  bones  bleached  on. the  field. 

No  loving  heart  with  fervor  tries 
To  cheer  his  spirit  to  the  sides, 
Or  friendly  hand  to  close  his  eyes, 

That  glared  with  furious  strife. 
And  he  who  lately  held  proud  sway 
O'er  mighty  hosts  now  lonely  lay 
A  mass  of  lifeless  human  clay, 

Unmourned  by  child  or  wife. 

The  second  grew  both  rich  and  great, 
And  gained  vast  wealth  and  huge  estate, 
c  But  callous  grew  of  others'  fate, 

Nor  cared  for  others'  woes  ; 
L  His  brother  man  he  bought  and  sold, 
c  His  heart  was  selfish,  sordid,  cold  ; 
His  sole  delight  was  hoarding  gold — 
He  deemed  all  men  his  foes. 


14 

£  '  Twas  thus  his  conversation  run  : 
' '  There  is  a  price  for  every  one  ;  " 
ff  Whatever  is  or  has  been  done 

Is  mostly  due  to  gold." 
And  what  by  some  is  most  revered, 
*  He  ridiculed,  contemned  and  jeered. 
lt Affection  !  friendship  !  love  !  "  he  sneered, 
"Are  very  cheaply  sold." 

He  lived  in  quite  a  princely  style, 
And  strove  his  ennui  to  beguile  ; 
But,  ah  !  was  seldom  seen  to  smile  ; 

'Twas  only  now  and  then 
When  some  grand  prize  his  luck  had  caught, 
Or  legal  conflict  stoutly  fought, 
c  To  a  successful  end  was  brought 

Against  his  brother  men. 

The  world  was  ransacked  far  and  wide 

To  gratify  his  morbid  pride, 

His  every  whim  was  soon  supplied  : 

The  Vatican  at  Rome, 
With  all  its  treasures  rich  and  rare, 
With  some  of  his  could  scarce  compare, 
And  yet  there  was  but  little  there 

Most  needed  in  a  home. 


15 

The  richest  gem  or  rarest  stone 

That  this  grand  world  has  ever  known 

Would  serve  but  poorly  to  atone 

For  what  was  wanting  there; 
A  crowd  to  serve,  but  none  to  pour 
The  heart's  ovations  fondly  o'er, 
Oh!  how  he  envied  some  he  saw, 

Though  very  poor  they  were. 

-  And  though  the  world  is  apt  to  be 
Allured  by  glare,  and  crowd  to  see 
Whatever  for  the  hour  may  be— 

Rich,  monstrous,  strange,  or  rare; 
Yet  few  there  were  who  ever  sought 
His  love,  or  even  his  smiles  to  court, 
Who  did  attempt  it  soon  were  taught 

No  more  that  feat  to  dare. 

But  when  the  general  victor  came, 
And,  unrelentless,  urged  his  claim, 
His  soul  affrighted  shrunk  with  shame; 

Oh!  how  he  longed  to  live; 
"Oh!  for  a  year,— a  month,— an  hour;" 
He  would  atone  with  all  his  power 
To  those  he'd  wronged,  with  heavy  dower; 

But  Death  no  "  grace 


16 

His  mortal  frame  was  borne  away 
In  pompous  state,  a  /rand  array, 
More  like  a  pageant  in  a  play 

Than  mortal  "  dust  to  dust." 
A  sermon  soon  in  church  was  heard9 
And  his  salvation  was  inferred, 
But  of  his  errors— not  a  word, 

Nor  final  lack  of  trust. 

A  monument,  supremely  grand 
As  any  monarch's  in  the  land, 
By  first  of  artists  cut  and  planned, 

Adorned  the  grave  he  filled. 
An  epitaph,  too,  soon  was  seen, 
"To  keep  his  fragrant  memory  green!" 
Not  what  he  was,  but  should  have  been. 

And  might,  had  he  so  willed. 


His  wealth  soon  in  the  courts  of  law 
Was  clutched,  like  lamb  in  lion's  paw, 
And  filled  the  still  insatiate  maw 

Of  human  wolves,  or  worse  ; 
And  as  its  owner,  in  his  life, 
Seemed  most  at  home  where  broils  were  rife, 
In  death  entailed  unending  strife, 

A  new  Pandora's  curse. 


I 


MHHHMHMHMHM^ 

17  flfo 

2 

The  third  was  gentle,  kind  and  true) 
Who  did  as  he'd  be  done  unto, 
Though  void  of  wealth,  no  briers  grew 

Upon  the  path  he  trod; 
He  lived  an  active,  useful  life, 
Beloved  by  children,  friends  and  wife ; 
Where  he  appeared  he  banished  strife, 

And  died  at  peace  with  God. 

And  when  they  laid  him  in  the  ground 
His  neighbors  came  from  miles  aroundt 
And  not  a  tearless  eye  was  found 

'Mid  all  the  hosts  that  came ; 
He  needed  not  the  sculptor's  art 
To  chronicle  his  well-played  part, 
For  'twas  engraven  on  the  heart 

Of  all  who  heard  his  name. 

And  'twill  descend  from  sire  to  son; 
For  though  his  earthly  race  is  run, 
The  noble  deeds  that  he  has  done 

Still  shed  a  halo  round. 
But  finite  moments  here  on  earth 
Are  given  man  to  prove  his  worth 
And  fit  him  for  his  heavenly  birth  :— 

Life's  but  a  training  ground. 


May  God  in  mercy  hear  our  prayer, 
And  let  us  all  His  blessings  share, 
And  keep  us  'neath  His  watchful  care, 

That  when  at  last  we  die, 
No  misspent  hours  or  deeds  we'll  rue, 
But  ever  faithful,  good  and  true, 
Grim  Death's  stern  portals  passing  through, 

Our  souls  to  heaven  may  fly. 

Oh!  what  are  riches!  titles!  power! 

To  those  who  in  their  dying  hour 

Feel  conscience's  sting,  and  shame  and  cower 

Beneath  a  heavenly  ban  ? 
'  Twere  best  to  leave  just  as  we  came, 
Devoid  of  all  things,  so  we  aim 
To  earn  and  leave  this  honored  name : — 

"A  good  and  noble  man" 


And  if  'tis  borrowed  by  a  friend 

Quito  welcome  he  shall  be 
To  read,  or  study  :  NOT  TO  LEND, 

But  to  RETURN  to  U1C. 

By  this  no  selfish  thought  is  meant,       <  ^ 
To  lock  up  "Wisdom's  store; 

But  Books,  I  find,  sometimes  re-lent,     5 
Return  to  me  NO  MOIIE. 


I       Lithomount 
Pamphlet 

Binder 
Gaylord  Bros. 

Makers 
Stockton,  Calif. 

PAT.  JftN  21.  1908 


